Working with Youth: UNHCR Syria Youth Engagement Programs 2015 - 2016

The current crisis in Syria has affected youth and adolescents physically, psychologically and socially. They are potentially subject to different protection risks including: smuggling, drop out of schools, kidnapping, recruitment, child labor, child marriage, abuse, neglect and separation from their families. Psychological symptoms, including withdrawal, anxiousness, fear, denial, anger, sadness, restlessness, and regression are especially prevalent among children and adolescents.

As a response to these challenges and in order to give the opportunity and voice to young Syrians, UNHCR Syria established a dedicated fund to support initiatives designed and led by young people that address protection challenges they identified within their communities. The initial pilot phase of the ‘Youth Initiatives’ supported six (30) protection projects in addition to one project supported by UNHCR Headquarters as part of the global Youth Initiative Fund in 2015. Identified protection challenges were addressed through projects that focused on issues such as sexual and gender based violence, child protection, education and livelihoods.

The objective of the Youth Initiatives programme is to build on the existing capacities of young people, and provide young people with the support necessary to become active participants in their communities. The programme also aimed assist young people in unlocking their potentials, to build life skills that strengthen resilience and participation among youth groups.